Dovetail sights and tactical rail adapter

ABSTRACT

A sight mounting adapter is provided. The sight mounting adapter may include a rear sight block and a front sight block. Each of the rear sight block and the front sight block includes a top end including an upper dovetail channel and a bottom end including a lower 90 degree combined angle tactical rail channel. The upper dovetail channel of the rear sight block is formed to receive a rear dovetail sight. The upper dovetail channel of the front sight block is formed to receive a front dovetail sight. The lower tactical rail channels of the rear sight block and the front sight block are formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail, such as a Picatinny rail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/845,772, filed Jul. 12, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device that facilitates dovetail sights to be mounted to a tactical rail.

The sliding dovetail pistol sights are commonly configured in a three dot horizontal sighting picture. Occasionally the dovetail pistol sights may be seen in the dark by using a glowing tritium or fiber optic element. The sliding dovetail pistol sights are preferred during close combat because of the shooters ability to acquire a sight picture quicker and more accurately in close quarter combat and in low light conditions. When using rifles with a scope, close combat may be difficult as compared to using dovetail sites. Currently, dovetail pistol sights are not attachable to rifles.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that secures dovetail pistol sights to a rifle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a sight mounting adapter comprises: a rear sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a rear dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail; and a front sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a front dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sight mounting adapter comprises: at least one sight block comprising a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front end, and a back end wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel running from the first side to the second side, wherein the upper dovetail channel is formed to receive a dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel running from the front end to the back end, wherein the lower tactical rail channel is formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.

In another aspect of the present invention, a sight mounting adapter comprises: at least one sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the front sight block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the front sight block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the front sight block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the rear sight block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view the rear sight block of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the rear sight block of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention may include a Picatinny rail mount fixture having a crosscut sliding dovetail joint to accept pistol sights. The fixture when attached to a Picatinny rail system facilitates the fitting of commonly available dovetail pistol sights to the firearm. These pistol sights are commonly sold in pairs and the fixtures may likewise be sold in pairs. This provides for an enhanced close quarter battle sighting on long guns. In certain embodiments, the present invention may facilitate the fitting or mounting of sliding dovetail pistol sights on a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system.

The rear sight mount fixture may facilitate the attachment or installation of a common production rear sliding dovetail pistol sight into a fixture providing attachment to a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system and provides for left or right adjustment of the rear sight. The front sight mount fixture may facilitate the attachment or installation of an accompanying common production front sliding dovetail pistol sight into a fixture providing attachment to a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail system and provides for elevation adjustment of the front sight. The rear and front sight mount fixtures for MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail systems combine to provide for a clear, accurate, and fully adjustable sighting system.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes a sight mounting adapter 10. The sight mounting adapter 10 may include a rear sight block 14 and a front sight block 12. Each of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12 include a top end 42, a bottom end 44 a first side 46, a second side 48, a front end 50, and a back end 52. The top ends 42 include an upper dovetail channel 26 and the bottom ends 44 include a lower tactical rail 27, such as a 90 degree combined angle channel. The upper dovetail channel 26 of the rear sight block 14 is formed to receive a rear dovetail sight 14 a. The upper dovetail channel 26 of the front sight block 12 is formed to receive a front dovetail sight 12 a. The lower tactical rail channels 27 of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12 are formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail 20, such as a Picatinny rail.

In certain embodiments, the lower tactical rail channels 27 of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12 each include a cross bore 28 running perpendicular to the lower tactical rail channel 27. A rail mount tension screw 16 may fit through the cross bore 28. The lower tactical rail channel 27 may be attached to a tactical rail 20 by fitting the lower tactical rail channels 27 over the tactical rail 20, and then running the rail mount tension screw 16 through the cross bore 28 on a first side 46 of the lower tactical rail channel 27. The threaded end of the rail mount tension screw 16 may screw into a threaded nut 32 within a hexagonal countersink 30 located within the cross bore on the second side 48 of the lower tactical rail channel 27. Tightening the rail mount tension screw 16 into the threaded nut 32 tightens the lower tactical rail channel 27 onto the tactical rail 20.

In certain embodiments, the upper dovetail channel 26 may run substantially perpendicular to the lower tactical rail channel 27 for each of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12. In such embodiments, the upper dovetail channel 26 may run from the first side 46 to second side 48 of the sight blocks 12, 14, and the lower tactical rail channel 27 may run from the front end 50 to the back end 52 of the sight blocks 12, 14. Therefore, the dovetail sights 12 a, 14 a may be adjusted from the first side 46 to the second side 48 within the upper dovetail channels 26. The user can mount the sights via the “Drifting Method” using a brass punch and hammer or the “Press fit” method using a dovetail pistol sight mounting tool. Further, at least one of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12 may be adjustable in height. As illustrated in FIG. 1, both sight blocks 14 may be adjustable in height. Therefore, the sight blocks 12, 14 and the dovetail sights 12 a, 14 a may easily be adjusted for accuracy.

In certain embodiments, when at least one of the sight blocks 12, 14 are adjustable in height, at least one of the sight blocks 12, 14 may have a detachable base 34 at the bottom end 44. The lower tactical rail channel 27 may be part of the detachable base 34. The detachable base 34 may include at least one clearance hole 38. The sight blocks 12, 14 may include at least one threaded hole 40 aligned with the at least one clearance hole 38. At least one screw 36 is formed to fit through the at least one clearance hole 38 and thread into the at least one threaded hole 40, thereby securing the detachable base 34 to the at least one of the rear sight block 14 and the front sight block 12.

To adjust the height of the sight blocks 12, 14, at least one spacer plate 17 may be placed in between the detachable base 34 and the sight block 12, 14. For example, a plurality of spacer plates 17 may be placed in between the detachable base 34 and the sight block 12, 14. The spacer plates 17 may each include at least one clearance hole 38 aligned with the at least one clearance hole 38 of the detachable base 34 and the at least one threaded hole 40. Therefore, the screw 36 may fit through the clearance hole 38 of the base 34 and at least one spacer plates 17 and screw into the sight block 12, 14.

As illustrated in the FIGS. 2 through 7, one of the sight blocks 12, 14 may be adjustable in height, such as the rear sight block 14. In certain embodiments, the detachable base 34 and the plurality of spacer plates 17 may each include two clearance holes 38. The rear sight block 14 may also include two threaded holes 40. Two screws 36 may fit through the two clearances holes 38 of the detachable base 34 and the plates 17 and screw into the threaded holes 40 of the rear sight block 14. The height of the sight blocks 12, 14 may be adjusted based on how many spacer plates 17 are in disposed in between the detachable base 34 and the front sight block 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sight mounting adapter 10 may be used with a rifle 22 having a scope 24. The sight blocks 12, 14 of the sight mounting adapter 10 may be mounted to a side mounted tactical rail 20. The rear sight block 14 may be attached to the rearward section of the side mounted tactical rail 20, and the front sight block 12 is attached to the forward section of the side mounted tactical rail 20. The side mounted tactical rail 20 may be mounted to the rifle 22 by clamping attachments 18. The clamping attachments 18 may attach to the tactical rail 20 or the handle of the rifle 22. The sight blocks 12, 14 including the sights 12 a, 14 a may be attached to the rifle 22 via the side mounting tactical rail 20 and thereby may be oriented to the side of the scope 24. Therefore, a user may use the sights 12 a, 14 a during short range combat, and may use the scope 24 during longer range combat.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The sight blocks may be manufactured from aluminum alloy blocks 2.0″ high×1.2″ wide×0.81″ thick and are milled on a CNC Boring Milling Machine or on a manual horizontal milling machine. The MIL-STD-1913 slot may be cut with a custom Double Chamfer Cutting tool sized to fit the 0.835 inch width MIL-STD-1913 slot profile and provides for the 90 degree combined angle for the slot. The dovetail slot profile is cut with a standard dovetail mill cutting tool perpendicular to the bore of the firearm on the top area of the fixtures and are sized to fit the standard dovetail slot widths of 0.300 inch and 0.330 inch, and the associated standard 60 or 65 degree angles and the associated “0.060”, “0.070”, and “0.075” depths of slot for the particular sight to be fitted.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sight mounting adapter comprising: a rear sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a rear dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail; and a front sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a front dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.
 2. The sight mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the lower tactical rail channels of the rear sight block and the front sight block each comprise a cross bore running perpendicular to the lower tactical rail channel and formed to receive a rail mount tension screw.
 3. The sight mounting adapter of claim 2, further comprising the rail mount tension screw, wherein the rail mount tension screw is formed to releasably attach the lower tactical rail channels to a Picatinny rail.
 4. The sight mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein the upper dovetail channel runs substantially perpendicular to the lower tactical rail channel for each of the rear sight block and the front sight block.
 5. The sight mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block is adjustable in height.
 6. The sight mounting adapter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block comprises a detachable base at the bottom end, wherein the detachable base comprises the lower tactical rail channel.
 7. The sight mounting adapter of claim 6, wherein the detachable base comprises at least one clearance hole and wherein the at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block comprises at least one threaded hole aligned with the at least one clearance hole, wherein at least one screw formed to fit through the at least one clearance hole and thread into the at least one threaded hole, thereby securing the detachable base to the at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block.
 8. The sight mounting adapter of claim 6, further comprising at least one spacer plate securable in between the detachable base and the at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block.
 9. The sight mounting adapter of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of spacer plates securable in between the detachable base and the at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block.
 10. A sight mounting adapter comprising: at least one sight block comprising a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front end, and a back end wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel running from the first side to the second side, wherein the upper dovetail channel is formed to receive a dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel running from the front end to the back end, wherein the lower tactical rail channel is formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.
 11. The sight mounting adapter of claim 11, wherein the at least one sight block comprises a rear sight block and a front sight block, wherein the upper dovetail channel of the rear sight block is formed to receive a rear dovetail sight, and wherein the upper dovetail channel of the front sight block is formed to receive a front dovetail sight.
 12. The sight mounting adapter of claim 11, wherein the at least one sight block is adjustable in height.
 13. The sight mounting adapter of claim 11, wherein the at least one sight block comprises a detachable base at the bottom end, wherein the detachable base comprises the lower tactical rail channel.
 14. The sight mounting adapter of claim 13, further comprising at least one spacer plate securable in between the detachable base and the at least one sight block.
 15. The sight mounting adapter of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of spacer plates securable in between the detachable base and the at least one of the rear sight block and the front sight block.
 16. A sight mounting adapter comprising: at least one sight block comprising a top end and a bottom end wherein the top end comprises an upper dovetail channel formed to receive a dovetail sight, wherein the bottom end comprises a lower tactical rail channel formed to releasably secure to a tactical rail.
 17. The sight mounting adapter of claim 16, wherein the upper dovetail channel runs substantially perpendicular to the lower tactical rail channel.
 18. The sight mounting adapter of claim 16, wherein the at least one sight block is adjustable in height.
 19. The sight mounting adapter of claim 16, wherein the at least one sight block comprises a detachable base at the bottom end, wherein the detachable base comprises the lower tactical rail channel.
 20. The sight mounting adapter of claim 19, further comprising at least one spacer plate securable in between the detachable base and the at least one sight block. 